R.A. Dickey was worth more to the New York Mets as a trade chip than as a member of their rotation.

That is the cold, hard truth and the justification for the long-negotiated trade that will send the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner to the Toronto Blue Jays—assuming Dickey and his new team can agree to a contract extension by Tuesday afternoon, a stipulation first reported by FoxSports.com.

And it is a truth that general manager Sandy Alderson never has hid from the public. Throughout the “extend him or trade him?” debate that had dominated much of the Mets’ offseason, the team has been painfully honest with both Dickey and the fan base that it would explore trade options for the righthander.

Trading him isn’t a popular, or easy, decision. After all, the team’s brass admires Dickey as much as the fans because of his work ethic, outgoing nature and character—not to mention his dominance on the mound. Sure, the front office wasn’t thrilled that he used a team charity event earlier this week to voice his frustrations about his contract situation, but let’s not overlook the fact that he was dressed as an elf at a team holiday event. How many other Cy Young Award winners have done that lately?

As it turns out, the trade shapes up as a win-win for the team and its outgoing ace, not to mention for the Blue Jays.

The Mets were uncomfortable giving Dickey a contract extension for several reasons. First, he is 38—not necessarily old in knuckleballer years but still old enough to doubt he has many more career years in him. Next, a knuckleball pitcher can be as unpredictable as the pitch itself. If Dickey threw a 91-mph fastball instead of the witchcraft knuckler, he likely would have been signed, sealed and delivered weeks ago. Finally, the team needs to get younger and needs to address glaring holes in its lineup. It will accomplish that with the acquisitions of prized catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud and minor league righthander Noah Syndergaard, among others.

This is a classic example of selling high.

Dickey, under contract for just $5 million next season, reportedly asked the Mets for a two-year extension worth $26 million—a request that was far below market value in today’s ridiculous economic reality (see: five years, $80 million for Anibal Sanchez). And he has the stats to prove he isn’t a one-year wonder and that his go-to pitch isn’t some circus oddity. Over the past three seasons, Dickey ranks eighth in the majors with eight complete games, 11th with a 2.95 ERA and 19th with 616 2/3 innings pitched.

Assuming this trade is finalized, the Mets will get a haul of promising young players who should serve as part of their long-term foundation, Dickey will get his extension and the chance to pitch for a contender and the Blue Jays will further strengthen their rotation and playoff chances.

Remember, it was Toronto that struck first in this wild offseason, orchestrating a 12-player blockbuster with the Miami Marlins that netted shortstop Jose Reyes, righthander Josh Johnson, lefthander Mark Buehrle, infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck (who reportedly will be flipped to the Mets in this deal). Not long after that eye-opener, it again made headlines by signing outfielder Melky Cabrera.

After finishing the 2012 season with a 4.82 ERA (25th in the majors), the Blue Jays’ rotation will have the potential to be among the best. Add Dickey, Johnson and Buehrle to Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero, and you have a very impressive starting five (with additional depth to dip into, if necessary). Of course, all of these additions will have come at the cost of numerous top prospects but also with the promise of tremendous returns.

On paper, the Blue Jays will have the talent to compete for their first AL East title since 1993 (the year they won their most recent World Series title). However, as the many former Marlins on their roster can attest, championships aren’t won on paper and they aren’t won in December. But general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ bold maneuvering has turned franchise into a legitimate contender.

And that’s something the Mets hope they also can become after sacrificing Dickey.